STAR-CRUISER

Classification: Terrestrial technology

Creator: Cornelius Van Lunt

User/Possessors: Black Panther (T'Challa), Libra, Sagittarius, Taurus (Cornelius Van Lunt)

First Appearance: Avengers I#120 (February, 1974)

Powers/Abilities/Functions: The Star Cruiser was mounted with a large energy cannon called the Star-Blaster, a larger version of the Star-Blazer. Like the Star-Blazer, it drew energy from the stars and converted it into energy blasts that could be set to stun or to kill. The Star-Blaster was supposedly powerful enough to kill every Gemini (born between May 22 and June 21) in Manhattan and could presumably be tuned to affect people of every astrological sign of the Zodiac. The Star-Cruiser could also generate a force field to surrounde other objects then tow them behind it in its flight. The Star-Cruiser was capable of launching into flight above Earth's orbit.

History:

(Avengers I#120) - The Star-Blaster was designed by Cornelius Van Lunt as a larger version of his Star-Blazer weapon and mounted upon his Star Cruiser. Taurus employed Sagittarius to pilot the Star Cruiser and he flew it to rest upon a skyscraper in Manhattan as Taurus threatened to use its power to kill every Gemini in Manhattan. Just as Sagittarius was about to fire the weapon, the Avengers reached the top of the skyscraper and attacked the Star Cruiser, damaging it. When Taurus failed to negotiate an escape from the Avengers he fired the Star-Blaster at a stun setting and hit Mantis of the Avengers; although she wasn't a Gemini, as an empath, she was still affected by the weapon.

(Avengers I#121) - Taurus threatened to kill Mantis unless the Avengers let he and the other Zodiac members escape but the Vision stalled him until the Scarlet Witch could use her hex power on the Star-Blaster. When Mantis was knocked off the skyscraper, the Zodiac used the distraction to escape aboard the Star-Cruiser.

(Avengers I#122) - After Taurus launched the Avengers and members of the Zodiac who had betrayed him into space aboard a rocket-mounted building, Libra stole the Star-Cruiser and used it to capture the building in a force field and brought the Zodiac and Avengers from the building to the Star-Cruiser. Returning the Star-Cruiser to Taurus' base, the betrayed Zodiac members and Avengers attacked Taurus.

(Avengers I#124 (fB) - BTS) - The Star-Cruiser was impounded by S.H.I.E.L.D.

(Avengers I#124) - While facing the Star Stalker, the Avengers requested use of the Star-Blaster. Two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents in a jet towed the Star-Cruiser to the Avengers in Vietnam. The Star-Blaster was still "on the fritz" from the Avengers' previous attack on its cannon, but the Black Panther and Iron Man made quick repairs to the cannon. The Black Panther fired the Star-Blaster at the Star Stalker but the weapon had no effect and the Star Stalker smashed the Star-Cruiser, wrecking the Star-Blaster.

Comments: Created by Steve Englehart, Bob Brown and Don Heck.

The Star-Blaster was also called a "Star-Slayer" in Avengers I#121.

In Avengers I#120-121, the Star-Cruiser was mounted on the World Trade Center - which is, unfortunately, a topical reference.

This profile was completed on 11/24/2025 but its publication was delayed, as it was intended for the Appendix's 25th anniversary celebratory event.

Profile by Prime Eternal.

CLARIFICATIONS:
This should not be confused with:


images: (without ads)
Avengers I#122, page 13, panel 3 (main)
Avengers I#120, page 5, panel 1 (mounted)

Appearances:
Avengers I#120 (February, 1974) - Steve Englehart (writer), Bob Brown (penciler), Don Heck (inker), Roy Thomas (editor)
Avengers I#121 (March, 1974) - Steve Englehart (writer), John Buscema (breakdowns), Don Heck (finishes), Roy Thomas (editor)
Avengers I#122 (April, 1974) - Steve Englehart (writer), Bob Brown (penciler), Mike Esposito (inker), Roy Thomas (editor)
Avengers I#124 (June, 1974) - Steve Englehart (writer), John Buscema (breakdowns), Dave Cockrum (finished art), Roy Thomas (editor)

First posted: 09/02/2026
Last updated:11/24/2025

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
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